Leading the Trend

Xiaoguo was the first to react. She patted the snow off her hands awkwardly and looked up at the sky. Realizing that it was getting late, she looked at her companions and said, “It’s getting late. Shall we leave?”

“Okay, let’s go home,” Mrs. Yang quickly echoed.

“Let’s go.” Mrs. Yang pulled Xiaohu and Xiaohua along, before giving Mr. Yang a nudge. He was still unable to tear himself away from his snowman. “Let’s go.”

Brother Yang reluctantly followed Yang Jia home. He hadn’t had enough…

“Zhuang Zhuang, let’s go back too.”

Xiaoguo patted the snow off Zhuang Zhuang and dragged him home.

In the next instant, the people who were crowding around them, quickly rushed forward and began to scrutinize the erected structures.

“How novel…”

“That’s right, that’s right. Look how funny this looks.”

“This one looks even more amusing. Hahahaha.”

“Mother, look at this. What is this? Hahahaha.”

“Look at this. Look at this.”

“It’s cute, it’s cute. Mother, let’s go back and try.”

“Sure, let’s go!”

“Let’s make one when we get back.”

“Let’s go home and do it. We will build one just like this.”

“Let’s go home and make one.”

“I have to make one when I get back.”

“Me too. I’m going to make one of these. This one looks so good!”

“Let’s pick one too. We’ll build an identical one when we get back.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s go!”

For a moment, everyone was looking for a reference and was studying the structures seriously. They were planning to build their own snowmen when they got back.

—-

Overnight, many snowmen suddenly appeared in Peach Blossom Village. They were of all shapes and sizes. When Xiaoguo came out and saw them, it was already the next afternoon.

“Mother, look at the snowman at this house.” Zhuang Zhuang tugged at Xiaoguo, gesturing for her to look in that direction. Then he leaned over and whispered, “It’s not as good-looking as ours.”

“Shh.” Xiaoguo covered Zhuang Zhuang’s mouth and looked at the person on the other side. When she realized that he didn’t hear them, she let go of the boy. Zhuang Zhuang had just regained his freedom when he stuck out his tongue mischievously at Xiaoguo.

Xiaoguo smiled and turned to look at Mrs. Yang. She asked curiously, “Why are there suddenly so many snowmen in the village?”

“It must be because we had done a good job yesterday and they are just following us,” Mrs. Yang replied. She didn’t believe Xiaohu when he ran home to inform her just now. When she came out, she realized that it was true. The villagers had indeed started building snowmen.

“If you hadn’t called me out, I wouldn’t have known.” Xiaoguo laughed. She had been staying at home with Zhuang Zhuang and had not set foot outside the house. How could she have known that there was a snowman building craze in the village? They were unknowingly leading the trend.

“Haha, I wouldn’t know if Xiaohu hadn’t told me.” Mrs. Yang stroked Xiaohu’s head, making him feel shy.

“Your Xiaohu is indeed strong.” Even though it had been snowing heavily, Xiaohu was still out playing all the time. His physique was definitely better than Zhuang Zhuang.

“With the heavy snow, I have run out of places to go. The others don’t want to leave their houses at all.”

Xiaohu said with a hint of melancholy. If the heavy snow continued, he would have to stay at home indefinitely.

“That’s better. You should take a break anyway.”

Mrs. Yang couldn’t ask for more. Every day, it was as if the boy had wings. He kept wandering around the village and couldn’t stay still. She liked Zhuang Zhuang’s personality better. When he had nothing to do, he would study and play in moderation—unlike her wild child.

Xiaohu snorted indignantly. “It’s boys’ nature to play. My father said that men should keep moving. That’s how they keep their bodies strong”

It would have been better if he hadn’t mentioned it. Once he mentioned his father, Mrs. Yang exploded. “You’re still talking about your father! He only knows this. Why don’t you learn from Zhuang Zhuang? Look at him. He’s either studying all day long or helping his mother with work. Look at you, living your days like this…”

“You keep talking about me. Why don’t you look at Zhuang Zhuang’s mother? Auntie Xiaoguo is beautiful and cooks well. What about you? You keep nagging at me every day. Auntie Xiaoguo is gentle and kind, and she always talks softly. If she were my mother, I would stay by her side every day…”

“You brat, are you looking for a beating? I have become like this because of you all! None of you are obedient and you still want to acknowledge someone else as your mother. Go ahead. From now on, my son is Zhuang Zhuang…”

Xiaohu’s eyes turned red when he heard that. “Okay! I’m glad. I’ll go and be their son!”

“Quickly go, hurry up and go…”

“I’ll go, I’ll go!”

Seeing that their exchange was getting more heated, Zhuang Zhuang held on to Xiaoguo tightly.

Xiaoguo gave him a comforting look and pulled the two of them back. She whispered to Mrs. Yang, “Mrs. Yang, we’re still outside.”

While reminding her, she comforted her.

When Mrs. Yang heard her words, she panted heavily and looked up at her surroundings. The villagers, who had been engrossed in snowman-making, were looking in her direction. It was obvious that watching the commotion was more important than building a snowman.

“Let’s go, Sister-in-law. We’ll take a walk around the village and look at the other snowmen.” Xiaoguo took the opportunity and held on to Mrs. Yang, with Zhuang Zhuang and Xiaohu in tow. The two pairs walked together with the adults leading in front.

Mrs. Yang snorted at Xiaohu before leaving with Xiaoguo.

Not to be outdone, Xiaohu replied with a heavy snort.

Seeing that the two of them were about to start fighting again, Xiaoguo quickly got Zhuang Zhuang to lead Xiaohu forward. She dragged Mrs. Yang along, and followed behind the two boys unhurriedly.

After the few of them left, there were still some curious gazes watching them. It was only when they had walked further away, that the onlookers looked away. Xiaoguo heaved a sigh of relief. As expected, rubber-necking runs in the blood of the villagers.

“Come on, Sister-in-law, are you really angry?”

Xiaoguo nudged her gently and said in a joking tone.

“Sigh…”

“Sister-in-law?” Seeing that she was just sighing and not saying anything, Xiaoguo nudged her again.

“No…” Mrs. Yang chuckled. “As the words rolled off my tongue, I just started saying all those things…”

Looking at the little figure in front of her, she actually regretted it a little.

“Why? Are you regretting it?” Xiaoguo looked at the look in Mrs. Yang’s eyes and guessed what she was thinking. Every mother would feel regretful and upset after shouting at their children. This is what all mothers have in common.

“Stop mocking me…” Mrs. Yang looked at Xiaoguo helplessly.

“I’m not.” Xiaoguo patted Mrs. Yang’s shoulder a few times. “But to be honest, Xiaohu was really quite upset just now.”

When Mrs. Yang heard this, her heart tightened. Xiaohu wasn’t usually so sensitive. “Really?”

“That’s right. Didn’t you see that his eyes were red just now?” Xiaoguo looked at Mrs. Yang and continued, “He would have cried if I didn’t stop you guys.”

“…” Mrs. Yang was filled with regret. The more she thought about it, the more upset she felt.

“Sister-in-law, don’t cry. Don’t cry.”

Xiaoguo looked at Mrs. Yang helplessly. Her original intention was to let Mrs. Yang know that children were very emotional and sensitive, so sometimes they had to be careful with their words. But who would have thought that Mrs. Yang was so vulnerable that she would cry just like that?

Xiaoguo wiped her tears. “Sister-in-law, please don’t cry anymore. Xiaohu will see you if he turns around.”

When Mrs. Yang heard Xiaohu’s name, she immediately stopped crying and hurriedly wiped her eyes. “Tell me, why can’t I control my temper?”

“Don’t blame yourself…”

Xiaoguo didn’t know how to comfort her, because looking at Mrs.Yang reminded her of her mother. At that time, she was young and insensible. She had talked back to her mother and they started arguing. After it was over, her father told her that her mother was crying in the room alone, and blaming herself.

“No one can control their temper when they are worked up. No one is to blame. Xiaohu wouldn’t feel good to see you like this. Look, he’s even stealing glances at you.”

When Mrs. Yang heard this, she looked up and saw Xiaohu looking back at her. The remorse in his eyes was almost flowing out with his tears.

The thought made her want to cry even more.